Heated asphalt roller



Feb. 4, 1964 1.. B. WHITE HEATED ASPHALT ROLLER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 10, 1961' INVEN TOR.

Feb. 4, 1964 B. WHITE 3,120,159

HEATED ASPHALT ROLLER Filed April 10, 1961 2 heets-Sheet 2 United States Patent Ofifice 3,120,159 Patented Feb. 4, 1964 3,120,159 HEATED ASPHALT RGLLER Lyell B. White, 422 N. 10th St, La Crosse, Wis. File-d Apr. 10, 1961, Ser. No. 101,821 1 Claim. (Cl. 945il) This invention relates to a heated asphalt roller and has as its primary object the provision of a heated roller equipped with an air cooled axle.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a heated asphalt roller a mounting for the roller which consists of only a relatively few parts as compared to the complex mounts and supports heretofore employed, such Parts comprising basically only a short single axle which serves at the same time as a conduit for the primary air supply for the torch by which the roller is heated, said :axle including suitably mounted bearings and having a pusher handle for the roller secured adjacent one end of the axle.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an improved heated asphalt roller provided with a torch interiorly of the roller, and having means for insuring the combustion of such torch within a confined space, and the additional provision of a preheating torch or torches located exteriorly of and in the path of travel of the roller.

An additional very important object of the invention is the provision in a roller which is mounted on a stub axle, the latter having a tubular passage therethrough, and being connected directly with the torch interiorly of the roller, the combination of a gas inlet at the other end of the passage with primary air inlets communicating directly with the tubular interior of the axle immediately adjacent the gas inlet for the proper admixture of fuel and air as well as the cooling of the bearing in which the axle is iounted.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a roller of this character wherein the roller is mounted irorn one end only, the other end of the roller being solid and flush with the frame whereby the device may be used flush with or closely adjacent to curbs, gutters, poles, walls and the like, thus eliminating damage to painted walls and other vertical surface areas.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a weight interiorly of the roller which is mounted in the center of the roller by means of a relatively light disc closing one end of the roller, the arrangement being such as to add weight to the roller without adding mass which must be preheated before the roller face is hot enough to function properly, thus resulting in a rim or" lesser thickness than has heretofore been necessary in proportion to the total weight, and one which consequently may be heated much more rapidly.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such solid disc of relatively light Weight closing one end of the roller which is impenforate to prevent fire damage to anything adjacent the closed end of a roller, the imperforate disc also seryin to redirect the frame to the open end, thus producing greater thermal efiiciency.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a device or" this character wherein fuel and air are provided to the interiorly positioned torch through a centrally located hollow shaft positioned interiorly of the axle, whereby the cool air and gas, prior to combustion, serve to cool the hearing.

A further specific object of the invention is the provision of such a roller provided with a heat shield overlying the roller which captures waste heat, and which is provided with an internal passage which also serves to preheat and vaporize the gas in the storage tank, which is carried on top of the roller.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which is provided with a telescopic adjustable handle so that it may be adapted to a variety of individual users, and which is also provided with a suspension hook on the handle whereby the same can be suspended from the tail gate of a truck, or other transporting vehicle.

As conducive to a clearer understanding of this invention it may here be pointed out that in hitherto known heated asphalt rollers a basic problem has resided in the provision of means for heating the roller without overheating and consequent damage to the bearings mounting the roller, and in developing a torch that will burn inside of the confined space interiorly of the roller. Previously developed torches have had a tendency to go out for the reason that in the combustion of gaseous fuel of the type employed in the torch two types of combustion occur and oxygen or air is necessary for both. The fuel gas and oxygen burned at the torch head form water vapor and carbon monoxide. Additional oxygen is necessary on the outside fringes of the flame to combine with the carbon monoxide to produce carbon dioxide. Reinhalation of products of combustion in torches placed interiorly of the roller has hitherto occasioned flame starvation for lack of oxygen, causing the flame to go out. By virtue of the present invention uncontaminated primary oxygen is supplied to the interior of the roller from a point distant from the point of combustion, supplying oxygen suflicient to keep the flam burning, even though no additional oxygen is available at the actual point of combustion. Under conditions of severe wind or the like vagrant flows of products of combustion can instantaneously envelop the torch head causing the same to go out if both the primary and secondary oxygen were introduced at the torch head. By virtue of the instant invention the primary (that which goes through the torch) entering at a distance sulficiently remote from the torch to eliminate the likelihood of contamination by the products of combustion, in the instant case, through the axle, and with the secondary air entering the space around the torch head, this diflicwl-ty is obviated. The flmne of the burner rising as it burns due to thermal expansion, by its rise occasions the injection of secondary oxygen around the burner head, the consumed gases flowing upwardly and inwardly, and the device being so arranged that the burned gases flow out of the top of the roller thus purging the products of combustion from the rotating chamber of the roller.

An additional object of the invention resides in the provision of a solid iron weight mounted on the roller frame rfor adding weight to the roller and counterbalancin-g the outboard bearing, and also serving to force the flame into more intimate contact with the shell resulting in a more efiicient transfer of heat.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of properly shrouded preheating torches exteriorly of the roller and in advance of its normal path of travel for preheating the surface to be rolled.

Still another object of the invention resides in the provision of a roller of this character which is sturdy and durable in construction, exceptionally reliable and efficient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, assemble, and utilize.

Still other objects reside in the arrangements of parts, details of construction, and combinations of elements, or as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter, and disclosed in the accompanying drawings wherein there is shown a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is 'a perspective view of one form of roller embodying features of the instant inventive concept.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially 0n the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional View taken substantially along 3. the line 33 of FIG. 2 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4"4 of FIG. 2 as viewed in the direction indicated by the, arrows; and

FIGURE 5 is-ran enlanged sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

6 isan enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6-ofFiG. 2 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Having reference now to the drawings in detail, the de vice of the instant invention, gererally indicated at 10, includ'es a handle member 11. The handle'is provided with a right angled bend at 12, and an outwardly extending portion 1 3-which is again bent as at 14, terminating in an elongated support 15, which extends substantially par allel to the main handle portion- 11, and terminates in an axle 16; which serves as-a main support for the apparatus; The axle 16 includes a central axial passage 17, which is threaded at one end 1 8* for the reception of a fitting 19, the purpose of which will be more fully described hereinafter. A- first shoulder 20 engages the outer race of a conventional bearmg assembly 21, which is, illustratively disclosed as a Timken tapered roller bearing. A second bearing assembly corresponding to bearing assembly 21 is indicated at 2Z2adjacent the other end of theaxle. The bearing assemblies are secured in position by means of a tubular hub or bearing sleeve 23 having internally positioned shoulders 24 which bear against the inner sides of the bearing assemblies to retain the same in position. A'xl'e 1 6 extends beyond the outer end of sleeve 23.

A round locking nut 25 mounted'on the threaded end 26 of axle 16 adjacent the roller serves to engage and secure'in position the bearing 22,the nut 25 being secured in position by means of a set screw 25a. A grease seal retainer ring 27 comprisedof sheet steel encased felt with the steel core a few thousandths of an inch larger than the outside diameter of the outer bearing race of bearing assembly 22 is press fitted in the bore in the bearing sleeve 23, and slip fitted over the nut 25 and beneath-the projecting end of the sleeve 23, and a second grease retainer ring 28 is positioned around the axle 16 beneath the projecting end of sleeve 23 adjacent the hearing assembly, 21;

The end of axle .16 adjacent roller 32 is interiorly threaded as at 29, and has secured therein the end of a bent pipe 311' connected to heating torch 31. The torch 31 is positioned interiorly of a roller 32, which is provided with spokes 33 which diverge outwardly and are suit'ablysecured, as by means of welding 34, to the sleeve 23, which thus serves as a hub for roller 32, beingfreely rotatable on-the bearing assemblies 21 and 22.

The torch 31 includes a central combined cfiuel and air inlet, supplied in a manner to be described hereinafter, and includes an imperforate preferably rectangular head 31 to preclude admixture of the primary air interiorly of the torch with air or products of combustion from any source except the aforementioned inlet.

A relatively heavy Weight 35' is positioned interiorly of the roller in co-axiall relation therewith and is centrally secured, asby welding. 36 or in any other desired mannor, to an end plate or disc 37 which is imperforate and serves; to close the end of the roller opposite spokes 33. The rimperforate disc 87 serves to protect material adjacent that end of the roller from any heat or fire damage occasioned by the torch 31, and by virtue of the flush outer surface of disc-or plate 37, permits the roller to be employed closely adjacent to buildings, walls, curbs, or where desired.

The plate 37 is structurally of the lightestpossible weight and the least cross-sectional thickness which will enable it adequately to support weight 35, the arr-angement thus beingsuch that thickness in' the wall ofthe roller may be reduced, so that the roller has maximum heat transmissibility' and may be heated much more rapidly than would be the case if the weight were concentrated in the outer wall thereof, the relatively thin crosssectional area of the plate 37 being so designed as to transmit as little heat as possible away from. the roller wall.

Suitable radial ports 38 extend through axle 16 into communication with the central bore 17 thereofimmediately adjacent the inner endof fitting 19, the fitting 19 being in turn connected with a fuel line 39, clamped as at 39a to portion 13,- so that uncontaminated primary air. and gaseous fuel is admixed interiorly of the tubular bore 17 prior to passage through the pipe" 30' andsupplied" directly to the torch 31, the being drawn from a relatively distant uncontaminated source. Similarly, the air and gas passing through the tube 17 serve to impart a cooling effect to the bearing assemblies 21 and 22. A small orifice 1% extends through 19 into bore 17 at the point of gas emergence from line 39 an'dgas blowing from the orifice 1% across the openings 38 and on into bore 17 serves as a venturi to eflect the injection of primary air mixed with this gas into bore 17, then into bent pipe 30, then into torch head 31 where the mixture of gas and air burns.

An L-shaped guard bracket 19a protects fitting 19.

Rigidly secured to the handle 11 as by welding, is the apex 41 of a triangular plate 4-2, which has mounted thereon a tubular support 43 within which is positioned a gaseous [fuel tank 44, The latter is provided at its upper end with the conventional fittings 45 and 46 and gauges 47 as well as a shield 48, all of conventional design. An outlet fitting 49 communicates with the gas line 39 which extends through the fitting 39a for supplying gaseous fuel to the torch fitting 19'.

A relatively large opening 50 is disposed above and generally forwardly of roller 32, and is bounded by the front edge of plate 42 and a horizontal flange 51, from which a vertical flange 52 depends downwardly in front of the roller; The flange 52 extends to a point relatively' near the bottom of the roller, and endplates 53 extend inwardly to a point closely adjacent the periphery of the roller 32 and upwardly to the plate 42. Relative ly shallow side flanges 54 extendrearwardly from end. plates 53 to the apex 41 of plate 42, and extend 'down to and are welded to a second plate 55 which is positioned directly over the roller 32' and beneath the plate 42, and defines, with the flanges 54, an air space. Plate 55 is generally rectangular and has a depending side plate 56 at one end thereof which is angled out- 'Wardly' over the end of roller 32, and has a relatively shortforwa-rdly extending flange 57 which extends downwardly' adjacent the rear inclined edges of end plates 53. Members 56 and 57 form a heat deflecting hood..

A rear heat deflecting flange 58 extends downwardly over the rear of roller 32 and is secured as by welding 59 to the portion 13 of handle 11.

A pipe 60 extends transversely between end plates 53 adjacent front flange 52 forwardly of the front periphery of roller 32;, and risprovided with a plurality of depending feed lines 61, each of which has atits end a preheating torch 62, positioned to direct its flame downwardly in front of the roller and towards its outer edge, andv at the same time to' the ground or asphalt to be heated directly in front ofthe roller.

Preheating torches 62 are provided with beads having a seriesof openings 62b therein. a

The plates 55 and 42 together with the flanges 54' serve to define a heat transmissive tank support forming a passage therebeneath. The hot air from the torch 31 rising around the inside periphery of roller 32 and out the upper portion of the open end, then beneath the shield or flange 56, then under the plate 55 Where the heat warms plate 55. Some of the radiation from roller 32 also warms plate 55. The heat in 55 partially radiates to 42 which in turn partially radiates to tank 44. This heated air is important in that heat which would otherwise be wasted passes a controlled amount of waste heat to the underside of a gas tank, which is just sufficient to compensate for the heat used in volatilizing the liquid propane or other fuel in the cylinder or tank.

It is to be noted that freezing up of the gas, that is, lowering of the gas pressure due to the refrigerating effect of the liquid turning into gas has hitherto been a considerable problem in apparatus of this character. The instant arrangement eliminates this difliculty.

Fuel is supplied to the pipe 60 and hence torches 62 through a fitting 65 which is connected to a fuel line 66, secured as at 66a to end plate 53 and which in turn extends upwardly to a fitting 67 on the top of tank 44.

On the inner torch 31 primary air is picked up from a distance exteriorly of the roller through the openings 38, then through interior 17 of axle 16 and conducted through the gas tight pipe 30 into the boxlike torch head 31 which is completely imperforate except for the inlet and the open outlet. This arrangement allows only the gas and the primary air into the torch and prevents products of combustion from getting into the torch and putting it out. Secondary air sweeps in around the head or shroud 31 to complete combustion.

In the preheating torches 62 the principle is the same except that the torch tube and head are integral. Therefore, in order to keep the products of combustion from flowing upward and into the holes 62b in which the primary air is inhaled, the torches are placed in a boxlike container with holes in the bottom of said box, only large enough to receive the end of the torch nozzle but not far enough in so that the primary air holes 625 extend through the box. With this design, gas under pressure through a small orifice injects air through the side holes in the torch and carries it through the torch, and at the same time through the bottom of the shrouding box and burns at the end of the torch. The end of the torch being in the open has available abundant and secondary oxygen. The products of combustion being hot and therefore light as compared to ambient air rise rapidly past the boxlike shroud and dissipate in the air. Unburned air being relatively heavy as compared to heated products of combustion settles in the box and supplies the torch with primary oxygen. This box or case is defined by the plates 52, 52a, 5217, the two ends 53, the top opening above described at 59, with the ends of the torches 62 projecting out of the close fitting holes in 52a immediately adjacent and in advance of the roller face.

The handle 11 is provided at a suitable intermediate point with a transversely extending section of channel iron 70 which is suitably welded or otherwise secured thereto, the channel iron 70 forming a hook which is adapted to engage over the tail gate of a truck, or other suitable location on a vehicle for transporting the roller. Handle 11 is tubular, and has positioned in one end thereof a shank 71 having a cross handle 72. The shank 71 telescopes into the handle 11, and is provided with a plurality of holes 73, which are adapted to be selectively engaged by a cotter pin 74 which extends through aligned bore 75 in the end of the handle, whereby the length of the handle may be suitably adjusted to accommodate the user.

In the use and operation of the device, fuel is admitted from tank 44 through line 39, orifice 19b, bore 17, along with the primary air entering at 33 as previously described, and torch tube 30 to torch 31 which is then ignited to heat roller 32. After preheating, the roller is moved forwardly in the customary manner, being propelled by a single individual by means of cross handle 72. When asphalt becomes unusually cold, valve 67a is opened and preheating torches 62 are lighted and the flame strikes on the asphalt and preheats it. By reason of comparative thinness of the rim of roller 32 the same will be heated rapidly and by reason of the heat transferred through and 42 to tank 44 any freezing up of the fuel in tank 44 will be prevented.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved heated asphalt roller which accomplishes all of the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made of the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

In an asphalt heating roller device:

(a) a roller having at least one open end,

(b) means mounting said roller for rotation about its axis,

(0) a fuel tank mounted closely adjacent and exteriorly of said roller,

(d) a torch disposed interiorly of said roller for heating the latter, with said torch being connected to said fuel tank,

(e) and channel means extending between the upper portion of said open end and said fuel tank for directing hot products of combustion produced within said roller upon operation of said torch to closely adjacent said fuel tank so that the fuel within the tank is heated, said channel means comprising:

(1) a heat transmissive tank supporting member mounted over said roller and spaced slightly therefrom to form a passage therebetween,

(2) and a heat deflecting hood extending downwardly from said member over the upper portion of the open end of said roller,

(3) said hood serving to deflect heated air escaping from the open end of the roller into said passage to thereby heat said tank supporting member and tank.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 524,939 Dennison Aug. 21, 1894 1,053,572 Chatfield Feb. 18, 1913 1,237,634 Gratton Aug. 21, 1917 1,421,665 Browne July 4, 1922 2,705,906 Fizzell Apr. 12, 1955 2,925,759 Hillis Feb. 23, 1960 2,990,755 Caufield July 4, 1961 3,066,585 Crumpton Dec. 4, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 230,760 Great Britain Mar. 19, 1925 

